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Congress·In Committee·about 2 months ago

Congress proposes grants to help schools stock naloxone and train staff to respond to opioid overdoses

Also known as: School Access to Naloxone Act of 2026

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(2)
Child Tax Credit
Neutral
Mental Health
Neutral
Positive Impacts(1)
Student
Helps

Key Points

  • Congress would let federal grant money be used not just to prescribe naloxone, but also to train and allow school staff to give it in an emergency.
  • The bill would create a new grant program to help public and private elementary and secondary schools keep overdose-reversal medicine and devices on site.
  • Schools getting money would need trained staff who are allowed to give the medicine, a supply stored where trained staff can reach it fast, and coverage during all school hours.
  • States would have to confirm school staff have enough legal protection from lawsuits when they give emergency help during a suspected overdose.
  • For families, this could mean quicker overdose response on school grounds if a student, staff member, or visitor is suspected of overdosing.
HealthcareDrug PolicyEducation

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 7, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Jan 7, 2026

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill becomes law and Congress provides funding

Federal health agency sets up the new school naloxone grant program and opens applications

School districts and eligible school systems could start applying for money to buy naloxone and train staff, but nothing changes until funding is appropriated and applications open

As schools prepare grant applications

States’ attorneys general review state liability protections and decide whether to certify them as adequate

In states where the attorney general certifies protections, schools can meet a key requirement to participate; in states without certification, schools may be unable to use the grant program as written

After grants are awarded

Participating schools buy and store naloxone in accessible locations and schedule trained coverage during all operating hours

Schools that receive grants would likely add naloxone to their emergency supplies and ensure at least one trained person is on-site, improving readiness for an overdose emergency

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

School Access to Naloxone Act of 2026

Bill NumberS 3588
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(6)
D: 5R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.